2025 In Review | ATW #12

In this special edition of At The Wheel, Joe White and Tu Le are joined by industry experts Steve Levine (The Electric) and Paul Leinert (Leinert & Company) to analyze the most important developments shaping the global auto industry. The conversation begins with Ford’s stunning decision to scrap major EV programs and take a $19.5 billion write-down, signaling that the first phase of the EV transition may be over. Joe, Tu, Steve, and Paul dive into the big questions facing the industry: * Why Ford is resetting its EV strategy and pivoting toward hybrids and lower-cost platforms * Whether legacy automakers are retreating from the EV race or simply regrouping * How Tesla’s trillion-dollar valuation continues to rise despite declining vehicle sales * The risks behind Elon Musk’s pivot toward robotaxis, AI, and humanoid robots * China’s rapidly expanding EV industry and the global impact of Chinese automakers * The growing importance of battery supply chains, rare earths, and silicon technology * Why Detroit and Europe may need to completely reinvent themselves to stay competitive As the EV transition evolves, the auto industry is facing a new reality: China’s rise, technology disruption, and changing consumer demand are rewriting the rules of global mobility. 🔎 SEO Keywords for Discoverability Ford EV strategy Ford EV write down Tesla robotaxi strategy Tesla market valuation China EV dominance BYD electric vehicles global EV competition electric vehicle transition EV industry disruption battery supply chain geopolitics rare earth magnets automotive future of electric vehicles autonomous vehicle industry software defined vehicles future of mobility ⏱ YouTube Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Intro – Special Year-End Episode 01:45 Ford’s $19.5B EV Write-Down Explained 04:04 What Ford’s Reset Means for the Industry 07:10 China’s Impact on Global Automakers 10:58 EV Market Reality Check 14:30 Tesla’s Valuation vs Real Sales 18:00 Robotaxis and AI vs Automakers 22:00 The Future of EV Demand 26:00 China’s Export Strategy 31:00 Battery Supply Chains and Rare Earths 36:00 Can Detroit Reinvent Itself? 42:00 Are EVs the Future or Just the Beginning? 48:00 Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.atthewheel.co